CRP Quarterly Briefing - Issue 03

Welcome to issue 03 of the Community Risk Programme’s (CRP) quarterly briefing – January 2020

With four projects now underway, the programme is looking to deliver some key products this year. This issue covers developments over the last quarter, covering November 2019 to January 2020.

HMICFRS State of Fire and Rescue 2019 report

The first State of Fire and Rescue report was published by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) on 15 January. The report, written by the Chief Inspector, Sir Tom Winsor, is the culmination of the independent inspections carried out across all English fire and rescues services (FRSs) last year.

The report makes many references to risk and IRMPs with findings such as; an ‘inconsistent approach to identify risk’ and ‘inconsistent use of IRMPs’ in services.  The report echoes the findings of the independent review commissioned by the CRP programme board and highlights the need for improvement in this area.

Reference is also made to the work of the CRP, demonstrating the importance of the programme’s work for FRSs and our communities.

 CRP projects

There are currently four projects underway, with project board meetings expected to take place in February. Here are updates from the projects:

Definition of Risk

The first project board meeting is due to take place in February, where the project’s business case will be submitted for approval.

The project launched a ‘user stories’ survey in December 2019, seeking feedback from all UK FRS to establish requirements for a national definition of risk. To date, 33 FRSs have responded to the survey and the results are currently being analysed.

The findings will be used to produce a definition of risk tool along with accompanying guidance in the application of the national terminology. This is expected by early spring.  The project will then consult with UK FRSs in a series of national roadshows to further refine the documents (see dates of roadshows below). The final products will then follow NFCC’s approval process before publication towards the end of the year.

(I)RMP Guidance

A project board has been established and met early this year. The project’s business case is due to be submitted at the next CRP programme board meeting.

During the first phase of the project, a literature review of currently available guidance will be carried out with the support of the programme’s Technical Working Group (TWG).

The second phase will align with the delivery of the Definition of Risk project due to dependencies between projects.

Value of the Fire Service

In December 2019, the project team met with the Home Office to discuss the refresh of the Economic Cost of Fire report and how the NFCC’s project will link in with this.

The Home Office governance structure for the report is expected to be in place early this year. The CRP will work closely with our Home Office colleagues in establishing any additional elements the refreshed report will include. Alongside this, the project team will work to deliver the key product of the project; a report on the value of the fire service, which will look at all areas of FRS work.

Competencies for Risk Management Planners

The business case has been drafted and is due to be submitted to the CRP programme board in the next few weeks.

The project will look at making risk management a required competency and would allow for minimum standards to be set for the expertise of risk management planners.

This will provide risk management planners with opportunities for development and learning, as well as the opportunity to gain professional status in this area.

To learn more about our eight projects, please visit the CRP page: https://nfcc.org.uk/our-services/community-risk-programme/projects

Stakeholder update

Formal stakeholders – The programme now has four formal stakeholders who are closely engaged in the programme’s work. They are:

• HMICFRS
• Fire Services Management Committee (FSMC)
• Home Office
• Fire Brigades Union (FBU)

The Technical Working Group and Subject-Matter Experts – To ensure the programme’s products are robust, well considered and fit for purpose, the programme has established two groups to support the delivery of its products. The Technical Working Group (TWG) is made up of risk experts from the UK FRS, and the pool of Subject-Matter Experts (SME) is made up of experts outside the fire service and includes academics and the private sector.

If you would like to participate in the programme as a SME or join the TWG, please email the programme team: CommunityRiskProgramme@nationalfirechiefs.org.uk

Programme successes

In this issue, we reflect on achieving the following:

• A strong network of FRS leads to engage with the programme, helping to shape its direction,
• Setting up a TWG and SME pool,
• Recognition in the HMICFRS State of Fire and Rescue 2019 report,
• Secured funding for the projects for 2020/1,
• Data survey – 41 FRSs completed a survey on the datasets they use, the results are currently being analysed.
• Definition of Risk user story survey – see definition of risk project update above.

Job opportunities

The Value of the Fire Service project is looking for members to form its project board. Please find details on the role here:

• NFCC Project Board

Key dates and forward look

The CRP programme executive will be speaking at the LGA annual fire conference, 10-11 March.

Seven national roadshows to consult UK FRS colleagues on the draft Definition of Risk document:

General updates on the CRP will be provided through the NFCC website: https://nfcc.org.uk/our-services/community-risk-programme

If you have any questions, comments or would like to be involved in the work of the programme, please email the CRP Programme Team: CommunityRiskProgramme@nationalfirechiefs.org.uk